Music Ensembles and Prep Division

Elizabethtown College offers a variety of ensembles. You do not have to be a Music major to participate in an ensemble, however you must be registered on Jayweb for the ensemble, either for credit or no-credit. With our ensembles, you will perform several times each year both on-and off-campus.

Instrumental Ensembles

Symphonic Band

The Elizabethtown College Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Robert Spence, is the premier wind and percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs a wide variety of quality musical literature from the wind band repertoire. Membership in the Symphonic Band is available to Elizabethtown College students of every academic major. No audition is required for membership. The Symphonic Band rehearses twice per week and performs at least one concert each semester. For more information regarding membership, contact Dr. Robert Spence, Director of Instrumental Studies, at spencejr@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1178.

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band, directed by Grant Moore, meets once each week for two hours and members may receive 1/2 credit. It is open to qualified students, with the approval of the director. It performs often during the academic year, both on- and off-campus, and offers students instruction in the basic skills of improvisation, stylization, and performance.

Orchestra

Founded in 1971, the Elizabethtown College-Community Orchestra (ECCO) is the premier wind, string, and percussion ensemble at Elizabethtown College. The ensemble performs a wide variety of quality musical literature for both string orchestra and full orchestra. Membership is available to students of every academic major at Elizabethtown. There are no auditions required for community and college string players; community and College wind and percussion musicians gain membership in the ensemble with permission from the director. The orchestra performs at least one concert each semester.

Chamber Ensembles

Chamber ensembles provide students opportunities to learn and perform works for small ensemble combinations. Musicians work to increase knowledge of chamber music repertoire and performance practice. The ensembles meet for approximately one hour weekly. Participants receive one-half hour credit per semester. Chamber groups include, but are not limited to:

Arioso Flute Choir

Brass Ensemble

Clarinet Ensemble

Horn Ensemble

Mixed Winds

Percussion Ensemble

Piano Ensemble

Saxophone Ensemble

String Ensemble

Occasionally mixed groups may also be formed, including guitar and voice. Auditions may be necessary for some groups.

Choral Ensembles

College-Community Chorus

The Elizabethtown College-Community Chorus is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz, and is open to any member of the student body and local community without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

Women's Choir

Women's Choir is directed by Dr. Anne Gross and is open to any member of the student body by audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

Men's Choir

This vocal ensemble, directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz, is open to any member of the student body without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections and music of varying cultures and periods.

Concert Choir

Concert Choir, Dr. Matthew Fritz, director, is an auditioned group is E-town’s premier vocal ensemble. This 40-member, mixed-voice, touring ensemble has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. In May of 2011, the Choir toured Ireland and Northern Ireland performing in St. Patrick's Cathedral and Galway Cathedral among other venues. The choir traveled to Salvador, Brazil in 2013 and toured South Africa in May 2015. Auditions for the ensemble are held each spring for current students, and during Freshmen Orientation for new students. Students may enroll for one credit or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

For:

Elizabethtown College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status. This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.